Camper Van Beethoven — Sweethearts
Album: Key Lime PieAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1508
Length: 4:43
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'Cause he's always living back in Dixon
Circa nineteen forty-nine
And we're all sitting at the fountain
At the five and dime
'Cause he's living in some B-movie
The lines they are so clearly drawn
In black and white life is so easy
And we're all coming along on this one
'Cause he's on a secret mission
Headquarters just radioed in
He left his baby at the dancehall
While the band plays on, some sweet song
And on a mission over China
The lady opens up her arms
The flowers bloom where you have placed them
And the lady smiles, just like mom
Angels' wings are icing over
McDonnell Douglas olive drab
They bear the names of our sweethearts
And the captain smiles, as we crash
'Cause in the mind of Ronald Reagan
Wheels they turn and gears they grind
Buildings collapse in slow motion
And trains collide, everything is fine
Everything is fine
Everything is fine
Circa nineteen forty-nine
And we're all sitting at the fountain
At the five and dime
'Cause he's living in some B-movie
The lines they are so clearly drawn
In black and white life is so easy
And we're all coming along on this one
'Cause he's on a secret mission
Headquarters just radioed in
He left his baby at the dancehall
While the band plays on, some sweet song
And on a mission over China
The lady opens up her arms
The flowers bloom where you have placed them
And the lady smiles, just like mom
Angels' wings are icing over
McDonnell Douglas olive drab
They bear the names of our sweethearts
And the captain smiles, as we crash
'Cause in the mind of Ronald Reagan
Wheels they turn and gears they grind
Buildings collapse in slow motion
And trains collide, everything is fine
Everything is fine
Everything is fine
Comments (138)add comment
I friggin' love this song, album, band.
2nd favorite album from this classic band.
idiot_wind wrote:
Beatles.
Radiohead.
Steely Dan.
have you ever noticed every great band has a pedal steel play?
every.
Beatles.
Radiohead.
Steely Dan.
Wore out BOTH SIDES of this cassette driving back and forth to high school in the late 80s. Approved.
Pound33 wrote:
Biden is president now. And yes, very relevant.
Always like this song. Change the name Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump in the last verse and it's still pretty relevant.
Biden is president now. And yes, very relevant.
have you ever noticed every great band has a pedal steel play?
every.
every.
i always think this is a mellow-ish Cracker song.
Hippostar wrote:
It's the mind of Ronald Reagan, I think -- a jumble of Greatest Generation aspirations and visions that may all be in the imagination. The song came out in 1989, when Reagan's decline was fully in the public eye.
So does it take place in 1949 or the Reagan years?
It's the mind of Ronald Reagan, I think -- a jumble of Greatest Generation aspirations and visions that may all be in the imagination. The song came out in 1989, when Reagan's decline was fully in the public eye.
So does it take place in 1949 or the Reagan years?
Ode to Ronald Reagan? I'm not hearing that. It just sounds like a whimsical song about decades past.
Sentimental 8 for hazy easy college days and drives down to Santa Cruz to see my girlfriend listening to Live 105 and KRQR
lynn01 wrote:
Maybe, if this were in any way favorable to RR. Otherwise, no.
aka ode to ronald reagan
Maybe, if this were in any way favorable to RR. Otherwise, no.
Always liked this song. Change the name Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump in the last verse and it's still pretty relevant.
sunybuny wrote:
Do not listen to Elbow's 'Scattered Black and Whites'.
Or for that matter, Phranc's 'Myriam and Esther'.
So sorry for your loss.
c.
The lyrics read like an old man in the throes of dementia. My mom was like this near the end.
Or for that matter, Phranc's 'Myriam and Esther'.
So sorry for your loss.
c.
The lyrics read like an old man in the throes of dementia. My mom was like this near the end.
RabbitEars wrote:
I expect Knopfler would have taken the trouble to tune it.
guitar reminds me of Mark Knopfler on Dylan's Precious Angel
I expect Knopfler would have taken the trouble to tune it.
guitar reminds me of Mark Knopfler on Dylan's Precious Angel
6.3? come on, this is better than that.
A celebration of Back when America was Great! (yes that is sarcasm)
'Cause he's mining Man-u-ag-a....
'Cause he's dropping bombs on Grenada...
'Cause he's dropping bombs on Grenada...
aka ode to ronald reagan
Pilsenaaa wrote:
That lasts right until you actually listen to the lyrics.
It feels honest , the whole tune carries with a gentle flow and the singer is really a nice person , I feel it in his voice
That lasts right until you actually listen to the lyrics.
stansbury wrote:
Such a waste of a spacecraft though.
As someone below put it, this song is perfect for long drives into the sun.
Such a waste of a spacecraft though.
bb_matt wrote:
U r way more boring than the music..
----------------------
U r way more boring than the music..
----------------------
What's the dreary music your playing, put something good on
Superior, but not to everyone's taste, as I have found in the past.
"What's the dreary music your playing, put something good on!"
Put it this way, not party music, but *perfect* music for long distance driving through a desert.
Superior, but not to everyone's taste, as I have found in the past.
"What's the dreary music your playing, put something good on!"
Put it this way, not party music, but *perfect* music for long distance driving through a desert.
As someone below put it, this song is perfect for long drives into the sun.
It feels honest , the whole tune carries with a gentle flow and the singer is really a nice person , I feel it in his voice
Proclivities wrote:
Yes, David Lowery ferociously stole his own singing style from CVB to use in Cracker. Nice guitar work in this tune.
Very Y'Alternatively!
Yes, David Lowery ferociously stole his own singing style from CVB to use in Cracker. Nice guitar work in this tune.
Very Y'Alternatively!
DD gypsyman wrote:
Yes, David Lowery ferociously stole his own singing style from CVB to use in Cracker. Nice guitar work in this tune.
Camper Van Cracker
Proclivities wrote:Yes, David Lowery ferociously stole his own singing style from CVB to use in Cracker. Nice guitar work in this tune.
1) Great line, Proclivities! 2) I also like the guitar work on this track and 3) it kind of sounds like MK when he played with BD circa "Slow Train Coming"
DD gypsyman wrote:
Yes, David Lowery ferociously stole his own singing style from CVB to use in Cracker. Nice guitar work in this tune.
Camper Van Cracker
Yes, David Lowery ferociously stole his own singing style from CVB to use in Cracker. Nice guitar work in this tune.
One word; Great!
great song in a great set thank you! can't get any work done : )
This is a great song from a great CVB album.
..I like it...
Hannio wrote:
Still getting screwed, by the dems now. But screwed in the right direction, I suppose.
We're all screwed...
Still getting screwed, by the dems now. But screwed in the right direction, I suppose.
We're all screwed...
bb_matt wrote:
Superior, but not to everyone's taste, as I have found in the past.
"What's the dreary music your playing, put something good on!"
Put it this way, not party music, but *perfect* music for long distance driving through a desert.
"What's the dreary music your playing, put something good on!"
Put it this way, not party music, but *perfect* music for long distance driving through a desert.
25demayo wrote:
Unfortunately NOT the right direction....................
If you are of the "hooray for me! F-you!" belief system I suppose.
Unfortunately NOT the right direction....................
If you are of the "hooray for me! F-you!" belief system I suppose.
Hannio wrote:
Still getting screwed, by the dems now. But screwed in the right direction, I suppose.
Unfortunately NOT the right direction....................
Still getting screwed, by the dems now. But screwed in the right direction, I suppose.
Unfortunately NOT the right direction....................
This is another good song from a very good album, known mostly for its cover of "Pictures of Matchstick Men."
Camper Van Cracker
horstman wrote:
The Republicans have clearly screwed this country in the wrong direction for many years under several adminstrations (or just one really!).
Still getting screwed, by the dems now. But screwed in the right direction, I suppose.
The Republicans have clearly screwed this country in the wrong direction for many years under several adminstrations (or just one really!).
Still getting screwed, by the dems now. But screwed in the right direction, I suppose.
Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
So are you saying that RP is Plugging this track ??
Please, SKIP!!!!!!! Can somebody pull the plug?!
So are you saying that RP is Plugging this track ??
Hey, really fun, fresh, and everything is fine, thank you Radio Paradise.
Baketown wrote:
Just Love it!!!
One the best CVB songs of all time!!!!
Just Love it!!!
Superior, but not to everyone's taste, as I have found in the past.
"What's the dreary music your playing, put something good on!"
Put it this way, not party music, but *perfect* music for long distance driving through a desert.
"What's the dreary music your playing, put something good on!"
Put it this way, not party music, but *perfect* music for long distance driving through a desert.
Great beat
Strangely happy and melancholy all at the same time.
Stepford Reagan.
One the best CVB songs of all time!!!!
I liked him better when he took the skinheads bowling.
Dinges,_the_Dude wrote:
It's called a mute button, sir. Maybe use it?
Please, SKIP!!!!!!! Can somebody pull the plug?!
It's called a mute button, sir. Maybe use it?
Yuck!
LOVE the gears grinding in Reagan's head. Seeing him speak, one often wondered the provenance...
Please, SKIP!!!!!!! Can somebody pull the plug?!
If Robert Smith of The Cure was less intense and had more to smile about...he might have created this tune. I can hear a slight resemblance in the vocals...anyway. I like this...it doesn't take too many chances musically...but I do like nonetheless.
rdo wrote:
Ha - good one!
I hear a Cracker influence.
Ha - good one!
I hear a Cracker influence.
Sounds like it was ahead of its time. Reall diggin this
horstman wrote:
You know, we can all pick on Physicsgenius for his silly little remarks . . . but this one hits it squarely on the mark.
The Republicans have clearly screwed this country in the wrong direction for many years under several adminstrations (or just one really!).
I think it's time to face the dawn looking east and not west.
Horstman
They told me if I voted for McCain nothing would change, and they were right!
You know, we can all pick on Physicsgenius for his silly little remarks . . . but this one hits it squarely on the mark.
The Republicans have clearly screwed this country in the wrong direction for many years under several adminstrations (or just one really!).
I think it's time to face the dawn looking east and not west.
Horstman
They told me if I voted for McCain nothing would change, and they were right!
Please, please skip next time...!!!
nate917 wrote:
It's been done.
It didn't make it.
Well I just checked.
It wasn't listed.
I know I uploaded it a few years back.
That means only one thing...
I'm going to upload it again!
I hope someone will upload CVB's "Take the Skinheads Bowling." Great tune.
It's been done.
It didn't make it.
Well I just checked.
It wasn't listed.
I know I uploaded it a few years back.
That means only one thing...
I'm going to upload it again!
gotta love "...wheels they turn and gears they grind"
Still, I agree, the first (two) album(s) should find some play, Bill. To provide some pure angst white soCal ska vibes. For those who need it.
Still, I agree, the first (two) album(s) should find some play, Bill. To provide some pure angst white soCal ska vibes. For those who need it.
rtrudeau wrote:
The last time this song was commented on was almost a year ago. Your statement would appear to be, to use your terminology, "way inaccurate."
Notice that I wrote "this band," not "this song."
grungepuppy wrote:
The last time this song was commented on was almost a year ago. Your statement would appear to be, to use your terminology, "way inaccurate."
This band is way overplayed on this station. Marginal at best.
The last time this song was commented on was almost a year ago. Your statement would appear to be, to use your terminology, "way inaccurate."
I'm sitting at my desk attempting to care that my j.o.b does more for me than provide a paycheck. And I thought... I want Bill's job. How cool to compile and spin tunes all day. Now that's purpose!
This band is way overplayed on this station. Marginal at best.
laroue wrote:
And more Paul Kelly
More CVB! MORE!
And more Paul Kelly
More CVB! MORE!
A nice tune, thanks 
I hope someone will upload CVB's "Take the Skinheads Bowling." Great tune.
my favorite cvb song, thanks!
that post from physicsgenius was Nov 09, 2006 - 06:07
guess he/she has ascended or moved on
I think the fact that no one has commented on this song in over a year, even though it has been played quite a few times, speaks to the blah-ness of this tune.
horstman wrote:
You know, we can all pick on Physicsgenius for his silly little remarks . .
Horstman
If you would have stopped there, I was all in.
physicsgenius wrote:
You mean the kind of optimism that hopes if you just ignore AIDS it will just go away? Or the optimism that descended from it, where you have to clap hard to cover the screams in Iraq?
I think I prefer the kind of optimism that comes from facing reality squarely and dealing with it successfully.
Well said.
physicsgenius wrote:
You mean the kind of optimism that hopes if you just ignore AIDS it will just go away? Or the optimism that descended from it, where you have to clap hard to cover the screams in Iraq?
I think I prefer the kind of optimism that comes from facing reality squarely and dealing with it successfully.
You know, we can all pick on Physicsgenius for his silly little remarks . . . but this one hits it squarely on the mark.
The Republicans have clearly screwed this country in the wrong direction for many years under several adminstrations (or just one really!).
I think it's time to face the dawn looking east and not west.
Horstman
Baby_M wrote:
I'll take Reaganesque optimism over late-70s impending doom any day.
You mean the kind of optimism that hopes if you just ignore AIDS it will just go away? Or the optimism that descended from it, where you have to clap hard to cover the screams in Iraq?
I think I prefer the kind of optimism that comes from facing reality squarely and dealing with it successfully.
I didn't listen to this back in the 80's, but have grown to love CVB from RP, reliving the 80's now minus Olivia Newton Jon.
Baby_M wrote:
There's nothing wrong with being an eternal optimist!
I lived through the 1970s -- the "energy crisis" and stagflation and Jimmy Carter. All the smart people were telling us that the good times were over and all that was left was managing the inevitable American decline. If we were lucky, we'd surrender to the USSR and get remade into New Socialist Men; otherwise, we'd all get to be extras in Soylent Green or a Mad Max movie.
I'll take Reaganesque optimism over late-70s impending doom any day.
There's nothing wrong with being an eternal optimist!
I love the contrast of the sweet fluidity of the pedal steel and abrupt laissé-faire of the near spoken voice vocals. 
Ahhhhh... what a smooth, great day this has been. Key Lime Pie is CVBs best, but we need to have some other cuts off of it, too. I'll get on it....
Sorry, but I find this really booooooooring. 
Key lime and Lifes Rich pageant were stuck in the cassette deck for a long time. CVB's finest!
drH wrote:
Trite lyrics? Well, I can imagine how someone would think that if all they heard is "Everything is fine, everything is fine." Why not listen to the rest of it? Could be there's a little irony you didn't get.
Yeah, A lot of CVB's lyrics are over a lot of people's heads. This song is total sarcasm + irony. It's really a brilliant song. Same thing is true of pretty much every song on this album.
I remember having a friend who thought "all her favorite fruit" was some kind of free verse stream of conciousness thing. I was like "dude, just actually sit and listen to all of the lyrics once". I guess most people are conditioned to having the point of a song be some banal truism delivered with a psuedo-philosophical blunt instrument and repeated ad nauseum in the chorus.
One of my favorite albums from one of my favorite bands.
take your sweetheart bowling, take them bowling...
kazuma wrote:
And now it's here.
Cha-ching!
Baby_M wrote:
All the smart people were telling us that the good times were over and all that was left was managing the inevitable American decline.
And now it's here.
steeler wrote:
. . . Love the references to Reagan (I know, I know, he just died, but I lived through the 1980s and his "optimism")
I lived through the 1970s -- the "energy crisis" and stagflation and Jimmy Carter. All the smart people were telling us that the good times were over and all that was left was managing the inevitable American decline. If we were lucky, we'd surrender to the USSR and get remade into New Socialist Men; otherwise, we'd all get to be extras in Soylent Green or a Mad Max movie.
I'll take Reaganesque optimism over late-70s impending doom any day.
drover wrote:
Dude... whatever you and your little cowboy icon are smokin'... I'd like to try some. Country rock? Maybe for a song or two. Then they switch to Eastern European. Then to punk. Then to something genre-bending. Country band these guys aren't.
Amen to that! The entire CVB catalog covers a wide range of things, they aren't any one type of band, especially country rock.
That said, this dude's recommendations in country rock, covering three decades of its different incarnations, is an excellent list. I especially thank him for the props for the Long Ryders.
Yippe-eye-ay!
SpaceCowboy wrote:
CVB is ok, but not the best of country rock bands.
The problem with country rock is the danger of ending up boring and hackneyed. But when it's good, it is pretty near excellent. And I find a very thin line between the two.
CVB, ok. But I would rather recommend Gram Parsons (Flying Burrito Bros, Int. Submarine Band and solo), Uncle Tupelo, Long Ryders, Gene Clark, Dillard & Clark etc. The key word here is Cosmic American Music...
Dude... whatever you and your little cowboy icon are smokin'... I'd like to try some. Country rock? Maybe for a song or two. Then they switch to Eastern European. Then to punk. Then to something genre-bending. Country band these guys aren't.
There's a funky artifact in the beginning of this track, Bill. And I know how you feel about impurities.
justlistening wrote:
that's justfunny
You're confusing me with justdancing.
that's justfunny
drH wrote:
Didn't I once see you dancing on American Bandstand?
You're confusing me with justdancing.
runchadrun wrote:
They are both David Lowery.
Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!
Drummer4soul wrote:
Is it me or does the singer sound like Cracker? Is that who I am thinking of? 
They are both David Lowery.
Is it me or does the singer sound like Cracker? Is that who I am thinking of?
JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:
yeah yeah Reagan died, who gives a shit?
Okayyy. But enough of those comedyyyyyy jokes.
one of those cds that i owned and have long since sold. brings back good memories of matchstick men.
Great tune from a great band. New CD coming out next week.
steeler wrote:
You got it, Pilrgim. How can one label these as trite or boring lyrics?? You could not possibly be listening to the words. Love the references to Reagan (I know, I know, he just died, but I lived through the 1980s and his "optimism")
yeah yeah Reagan died, who gives a shit?
Pretty cool.
GolfRomeo wrote:
Yeh. You forgot 'When I win the Lottery' tho--- my fave CVB of all time.
Ooops. That's cool. It's definitely a nice little ditty. :)
veegez wrote:
Great song from a terrific album. Love "Her Favorite Fruit", "Flowers", Borderline" and of course "Pictures of Matchstick Men"
Yeh. You forgot 'When I win the Lottery' tho--- my fave CVB of all time.
drH wrote:
Camper ain't "country rock", dude.
That's for damn sure. I just saw them last Monday night, acoustic, and it was superfly. Way more Black Flag than Willie Nelson.
pilgrim wrote:
one man's weak, trite lyrics are another man's solid gold.
Diff'rnt strokes, same paradise! :D
You got it, Pilrgim. How can one label these as trite or boring lyrics?? You could not possibly be listening to the words. Love the references to Reagan (I know, I know, he just died, but I lived through the 1980s and his "optimism")
justlistening wrote:
I have to say that after giving it a chance, I'm not a big CVB fan. The vocalist just doesn't do it for me and the beat and music is just not all that interesting to me - they both just plod along. Sorry CVB fans.
Didn't I once see you dancing on American Bandstand?
SpaceCowboy wrote:
CVB is ok, but not the best of country rock bands.
The problem with country rock is the danger of ending up boring and hackneyed. But when it's good, it is pretty near excellent. And I find a very thin line between the two.
CVB, ok. But I would rather recommend Gram Parsons (Flying Burrito Bros, Int. Submarine Band and solo), Uncle Tupelo, Long Ryders, Gene Clark, Dillard & Clark etc. The key word here is Cosmic American Music...
Camper ain't "country rock", dude.
Shrinkrapt wrote:
Hard to see what anyone hears in this - boring + really weak, trite lyrics.
ahem... yeah, whatever.
Incredible song. This song takes on considerably more poignancy in recent years. Amost made me feel sympathy for the guy. Lovely lyrics. beautiful stuff.
CVB is ok, but not the best of country rock bands.
The problem with country rock is the danger of ending up boring and hackneyed. But when it's good, it is pretty near excellent. And I find a very thin line between the two.
CVB, ok. But I would rather recommend Gram Parsons (Flying Burrito Bros, Int. Submarine Band and solo), Uncle Tupelo, Long Ryders, Gene Clark, Dillard & Clark etc. The key word here is Cosmic American Music...
Shrinkrapt wrote:
Hard to see what anyone hears in this - boring + really weak, trite lyrics.
Trite lyrics? Well, I can imagine how someone would think that if all they heard is "Everything is fine, everything is fine." Why not listen to the rest of it? Could be there's a little irony you didn't get.
I have to say that after giving it a chance, I'm not a big CVB fan. The vocalist just doesn't do it for me and the beat and music is just not all that interesting to me - they both just plod along. Sorry CVB fans.
Originally Posted by audiolab:
i couldn't have said it better myself!
What do people see in this song? Let's see, a great melody, a nice twangy electric layered over the acoustic guitar, and Lowery's cool voice. Trite lyrics? I've heard a lot worse. Boring? If you have ADD, maybe. To each their own, I guess... ;)
Originally Posted by Shrinkrapt:
Hard to see what anyone hears in this - boring + really weak, trite lyrics.
i couldn't have said it better myself!
Originally Posted by ludwig7:
Definitely presages Lowery's shift to Crackerdom. How about some of CVB's wilder stuff, like Still Wishing to Course or even their cover of Interstellar Overdrive? That'll blow a few fuses!
Or even better yet "Lets take the Skinheads Bowling"
:pDefinitely presages Lowery\'s shift to Crackerdom. How about some of CVB\'s wilder stuff, like Still Wishing to Course or even their cover of Interstellar Overdrive? That\'ll blow a few fuses!
Great song from a terrific album. Love \"Her Favorite Fruit\", \"Flowers\", Borderline\" and of course \"Pictures of Matchstick Men\"
Oh man, this takes me back to Summer of \'94 in Knoxville, TN. Mmmmm.... Driving up to Smokey Mountain National Park to go rafting...\"Everything is fine.\"
6.3? come on, this is better than that.